"It's a cross between a movie and a comic book," explained the science fiction icon who's a Central Kentucky horse farm owner but is best known for his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek. "It's in between and I think, unique."

Shatner, 84, has authored a number of books including: Shatner Rules: Your Guide to Understanding the Shatnerverse and the World at Large; Get A Life!; Star Trek Memories and Up Till Now, The Autobiography.

He has also recorded several CDs.

But his new cinematic graphic novel is a first for him. Shatner created it in order to bring his sci-fi novel Man O War back in a new, refreshing way, he said.

"Good science fiction is timeless," Shatner said. "It's also the first cinematic graphic novel ever. It's a new idea. It's an idea that nobody else, to my knowledge, had."

Man O War draws parallels to the American Revolution, Shatner said. Set in the future, main character Benton Hawkes must negotiate peace after a rebellion breaks out by the youth on Mars against Earth's domination.

LNL Partners licensed Shatner's sci-fi novel and developed it with Panelfly. Man O War is designed to be viewed on all digital platforms.

To see a trailer of the book, visit: Shatnersmanowar.com.

Shatner Herald-Leader

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